The Majorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis) (also Mallorcan midwife toad or ferreret in Balearic Catalan and Spanish) is a frog in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae). It is endemic to the Balearic Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea. An example of Lazarus taxon, the species was first described from fossil remains in 1977, but living animals were discovered in 1979.
The species, considered "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is currently restricted to isolated mountain streams in the island's Serra de Tramuntana and has an estimated population of 500 to 1500 breeding pairs in the wild.[1] It does exist and reproduce easily in captivity, however.[citation needed] The Majorcan midwife toad is thought to have disappeared from most of the island as a result of the introduction of competitors and predators from the mainland in ancient times.[who?] Reintroduction of the species in additional areas has taken place since 1988, with many new breeding populations now well established.[citation needed]
Like all midwife toads, the male of the species always carries the developing eggs during the months of May and June. Generally the head and legs are large in comparison to the rest of the body. Unusually, the female of the species competes for the male, even grappling against other individuals in order to secure a mate. Both male and female frogs use a series of noises in order to attract a mate during courtship. Comparatively the female is larger than the male (Male: 34.7 mm, Female: 38 mm).
Distributionedit
The species is endemic to Majorca, and is found only in the mountainous regions and gorges of the Serra de Tramuntana. In this area, the species inhabits streams in limestone caverns, where they hide under boulders and stones.
Statusedit
The Majorcan midwife toad was first discovered in 1977 and was described as Baleaphryne muletensis. Only later the toad was accounted as a midwife toad. This was due to the fact that the species was thought extinct and was described from the fossil record. Later the species was 'rediscovered' in 1979 when froglets and young frogs were discovered. Currently the species is protected as a Majorcan endemic species, and breeding programs have been started to prevent the extinction of this species. The number of wild animals is estimated at around 300 to 700 breeding pairs. It was previously housed and bred at the Durrell Wildlife Park, with the goal of releasing into the wild, which was successful.[2]
Threatsedit
This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Find sources: "Majorcan midwife toad" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR(April 2024)
Alytes muletensis faces several significant threats to its survival, primarily attributed to human-induced factors and the introduction of non-native species.[1]
Invasive species and predationedit
The introduction of the viperine snake (Natrix maura) poses a severe threat to the Alytes muletensis population. Predation by this non-native snake has led to a substantial decline in larval populations, with some sites experiencing a staggering 90% reduction. Additionally, competition for territory with the introduced Perez's frog (Rana perezi) exacerbates the challenges faced by the Mallorcan midwife toad.[1]
Human activities and habitat alterationedit
The rapid development of tourism and human settlements in Mallorca has contributed to habitat degradation for Alytes muletensis. The increased demand for water resources, including damming and canalization of streams, poses a direct threat to the species. Moreover, high human pressure on karstic creeks for recreational purposes creates the potential for the spread of disease agents, endangering the Mallorcan midwife toad.[1]
Disease introduction and lack of habitat maintenanceedit
Chytridiomycosis, a disease introduced through captive-bred individuals of Alytes muletensis, remains a major threat to the species. Although the prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) reportedly declined between the 2008 and 2020 IUCN assessments, captive-bred individuals are still being released, posing the risk of introducing new diseases to wild subpopulations. Newly created breeding habitats reportedly suffer from poor maintenance.[1]
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alytes muletensis.
Wikispecies has information related to Alytes muletensis.
^ abcdefIUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Alytes muletensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T977A89697685. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T977A89697685.en. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
^Durrell.org. "Durrell Wildlife hosts international planning meeting for Mallorcan midwife toad | Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust". www.durrell.org. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
majorcan, midwife, toad, alytes, muletensis, also, mallorcan, midwife, toad, ferreret, balearic, catalan, spanish, frog, family, alytidae, formerly, discoglossidae, endemic, balearic, island, majorca, mediterranean, example, lazarus, taxon, species, first, des. The Majorcan midwife toad Alytes muletensis also Mallorcan midwife toad or ferreret in Balearic Catalan and Spanish is a frog in the family Alytidae formerly Discoglossidae It is endemic to the Balearic Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea An example of Lazarus taxon the species was first described from fossil remains in 1977 but living animals were discovered in 1979 Majorcan midwife toad Conservation status Endangered IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia Order Anura Family Alytidae Genus Alytes Species A muletensis Binomial name Alytes muletensis Sanchiz amp Adrover 1977 The species considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN is currently restricted to isolated mountain streams in the island s Serra de Tramuntana and has an estimated population of 500 to 1500 breeding pairs in the wild 1 It does exist and reproduce easily in captivity however citation needed The Majorcan midwife toad is thought to have disappeared from most of the island as a result of the introduction of competitors and predators from the mainland in ancient times who Reintroduction of the species in additional areas has taken place since 1988 with many new breeding populations now well established citation needed Contents 1 Characteristics 2 Distribution 3 Status 4 Threats 4 1 Invasive species and predation 4 2 Human activities and habitat alteration 4 3 Disease introduction and lack of habitat maintenance 5 References 6 External linksCharacteristics editLike all midwife toads the male of the species always carries the developing eggs during the months of May and June Generally the head and legs are large in comparison to the rest of the body Unusually the female of the species competes for the male even grappling against other individuals in order to secure a mate Both male and female frogs use a series of noises in order to attract a mate during courtship Comparatively the female is larger than the male Male 34 7 mm Female 38 mm Distribution editThe species is endemic to Majorca and is found only in the mountainous regions and gorges of the Serra de Tramuntana In this area the species inhabits streams in limestone caverns where they hide under boulders and stones Status editThe Majorcan midwife toad was first discovered in 1977 and was described as Baleaphryne muletensis Only later the toad was accounted as a midwife toad This was due to the fact that the species was thought extinct and was described from the fossil record Later the species was rediscovered in 1979 when froglets and young frogs were discovered Currently the species is protected as a Majorcan endemic species and breeding programs have been started to prevent the extinction of this species The number of wild animals is estimated at around 300 to 700 breeding pairs It was previously housed and bred at the Durrell Wildlife Park with the goal of releasing into the wild which was successful 2 Threats editThis section relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Majorcan midwife toad news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2024 Alytes muletensis faces several significant threats to its survival primarily attributed to human induced factors and the introduction of non native species 1 Invasive species and predation edit The introduction of the viperine snake Natrix maura poses a severe threat to the Alytes muletensis population Predation by this non native snake has led to a substantial decline in larval populations with some sites experiencing a staggering 90 reduction Additionally competition for territory with the introduced Perez s frog Rana perezi exacerbates the challenges faced by the Mallorcan midwife toad 1 Human activities and habitat alteration edit The rapid development of tourism and human settlements in Mallorca has contributed to habitat degradation for Alytes muletensis The increased demand for water resources including damming and canalization of streams poses a direct threat to the species Moreover high human pressure on karstic creeks for recreational purposes creates the potential for the spread of disease agents endangering the Mallorcan midwife toad 1 Disease introduction and lack of habitat maintenance edit Chytridiomycosis a disease introduced through captive bred individuals of Alytes muletensis remains a major threat to the species Although the prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Bd reportedly declined between the 2008 and 2020 IUCN assessments captive bred individuals are still being released posing the risk of introducing new diseases to wild subpopulations Newly created breeding habitats reportedly suffer from poor maintenance 1 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alytes muletensis nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Alytes muletensis a b c d e f IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2020 Alytes muletensis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 e T977A89697685 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2020 3 RLTS T977A89697685 en Retrieved 19 April 2024 Durrell org Durrell Wildlife hosts international planning meeting for Mallorcan midwife toad Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust www durrell org Retrieved 2016 08 21 External links editAmphibia Web http amphibiaweb org cgi bin amphib query query src aw maps geo euro amp where genus Alytes amp where species muletensis amp rel genus equals amp rel species equals Accessed August 21 2012 Encyclopedia of Life http eol org pages 1039071 details Accessed August 21 2012 Arkive https web archive org web 20120825083227 http www arkive org mallorcan midwife toad alytes muletensis Accessed August 21 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Majorcan midwife toad amp oldid 1222428192, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
